Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Cafe Honmachi 喫茶ほんまち

Visited 17.04.2015

Right: Cafe Honmachi is loacted on the second floor.

Was flipping through this local magazine featuring the sights, sounds and food in Okayama when I was in Cafe Antenna on Day 1. A picture of an adorable latte art from one cafe caught my attention and sparked my interest to pay this cafe a visit if time permits on the next 3 days. The cafe is not remotely located, in fact just nearby Okayama JR Station.

Managed to fork out some time on Day 2 night to visit this cafe after a day trip to Kurashiki. With the help of GPS, we came to a row of shop houses but could not spot any prominent sign board from the cafe. After walking up and down that same row of shop houses at least once, my eye finally caught sight of this small board supported on a stool. This board was placed just in front of the flight of stairs leading to the second floor of a shop house unit - and yes, that was Cafe Honmachi's. For a moment, I hesitated whether I should go up because it fell short of my expectation in terms of appearance. Crossed my fingers and made my way up in the end.

Place was small with only one person attending to the entire cafe. Cafe could only occupy less than 15 diners - 2 to 3 small tables, some seats faced the window and wall and a few counter seats. The cafe allows diners to smoke, therefore the lingering tobacco smell in the enclosure could be uncomfortable for non-smokers (including us). With the thought that we would only just stay here for a short while and happened that there was a table (facing the wall) available, we decided to settle down and put up with the smell.

Delicious club sandwiches!

Cafe serves light snacks, drinks and desserts. Ordered two different types of club sandwiches and drinks to go with the food. Took some time for the food and drinks to come as he had to take on multiple roles - the waiter, barista, cook and cashier, yet still maintains his composure and control food quality as he completes the orders in a comfortable way. Fresh lettuce and tomatoes, tender chicken and moist scrambled eggs stuffed between fragrant black sesame toasts - loved how the various flavours came together harmoniously and this is definitely one of the best sandwiches I have eaten in my life. The BLT was equally good, with that pinch of heat (black pepper) emerged in the mouth as you take a bite into the sandwich.

Coffee was the main reason that brought me here and I must say it did not disappoint at all. Mocha, served in delicate English cups and saucer, came with a very nice latte art depicting a rabbit holding a heart, which will definitely bring a smile to any diner who receives the drink. Not only the cup of mocha looked nice, it tasted very good as well - very smooth and well-balanced in all aspects.

My cup of cafe mocha.

All the positive critics that I have gathered on the food and drinks diverted my attention away from the disturbing tobacco smell lingering in my surrounding. Glad to have come to this place after all! 

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Cafe Honmachi 喫茶 ほんまち
岡山県 岡山市北区 本町 2-22 錦ビル 2F
Opening hrs: 1100 - 2400 hrs (Last order: 2300 hrs)
Approx 3 mins walk from Okayama JR Station

Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Momotaro no Karakuri Museum 桃太郎のからくり博物館

Visited 17.04.2015 (Fri)

Story of Momotaro. The story of Momotaro, a famous Japanese folktale, is said to have originated from Okayama. I actually do recall watching cartoons (and even movie) adapted from the story of Momotaro when I was a child. It was about a kid who was born out of a gigantic peach and therefore named Momotaro and his heroic act to save villagers from ogres that were plaguing their homeland. In Okayama Prefecture, you can find Momotaro represented in various forms of media; the most prominent one being the statue located just in front of Okayama JR Station. A museum dedicated to this legendary folktale resides in Kurashiki city, within the Bikan district. Made our way here after the canal boat ride to relive our childhood memories of Momotaro.

Side notes:
- Found out later that the movie I watched when I was a kid was a Mandarin movie named "The Child of Peach" produced in Taiwan and was first screened in 1987.
- An excellent pictorial representation of the folktale: https://www.okayama-japan.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/momotaro_en.pdf

Trick eye. Occupying a two storey traditional storehouse, Momotaro no Karakuri Museum actually appeals more to the younger audience. Upon entering the museum, a staff led us through the game facilities set up at various corners of the room, explaining/demonstrating to us how the games should be played. To me, the place felt like a mini trick eye museum, where most of them are visual illusion games. Apart from that, the museum also displayed an extensive collection of books, pictures, videos, toys featuring Momotaro that were published/produced over the years. Here, you can find books translated into numerous languages which are and can be enjoyed by/passed down to future generations. There is a mini theatre where visitors can sit down to enjoy nostalgic cartoons on the adventures of Momotaro and his comrades.

Regardless of age, I am pretty sure you will be amused by the visual illusion games played here!

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Momotaro no Karakuri Museum 桃太郎のからくり博物館
倉敷市本町5-11
Operating hours: 1000 - 1700 hrs
Entrance fee = 600 yen
https://www.kurashiki-tabi.jp/see/193/

How to get there? 

(1) By foot. Museum is located within Kurashiki Bikan district 倉敷美観地区; approximately 10 minutes walk from Kurashiki JR Station.

Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Miyake Shouten 三宅商店

Visited 17.04.2015 (Fri)

Sense of nostalgia. Located in Kurashiki Bikan District (倉敷美観地区), Miyake Shouten was built in the later years of Edo period and was once a sundry shop. Now it has been converted into a cafe with most of its original features retained/preserved. Upon stepping into Miyake Shouten, you will be greeted by a strong nostalgic ambience within the cafe. Aged wooden structures and furnishing, elevated platform with low tables and cushions as seats, these are some features are typically seen in traditional Japanese houses. Also noticed that there was a table located at the end of the house which looked outwards to a small garden compound - a good hideout to hang out with friends over a meal or drink.

Curry rice & parfait paradise. For lunch, Miyake Shouten serves only curry rice as their main course. The set comprises of curry, cooked using seasonal ingredients, served with brown rice, tsukemono (pickles) and soup. Curry gravy was very flavourful and moderately spicy, accompanied with greens, slices of potato and fried lotus root and all of us like it a lot. We ordered the curry set (available on weekdays) which came with a small dessert and drink (coffee/tea). Dessert served on the day of my visit was chiffon cake and a scoop of ice-cream, which was an extremely satisfying way to wrap up the entire lunch course. If you are a parfait lover, you will not want to miss their exciting line-up of flavours offered all year round! Okayama Prefecture being a kingdom of fruits, the parfaits in Miyake Shouten are created using seasonal fruits and will definitely satisfy any sweet tooth.

Washi tape fever! Anyone here is a fan of scrapbooking? If you are, MT washi tape will surely be found in your toolkit. During my spare time, I do some simple scrap booking and washi tape has always been such an easy-to-use material for any of my scrap booking project. In fact, Kurashiki is where MT washi tape originated from! In Miyake Shouten, there is a corner dedicated to these washi tape and the collection which is put up for sale here will make any washi tape lovers spoilt for choice. Having said that, there are actually many other shops in Kurashiki Bikan District which carry this brand of washi tape, so do keep a lookout for them as well while spending a leisure afternoon strolling in this area.

Look at the collection of MT washi tape!

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Miyake Shouten 三宅商店
岡山県倉敷市本町3-11
Opening hrs: http://www.miyakeshouten.com/access/index.html
About 10 mins walk from Kurashiki JR Station.
http://www.miyakeshouten.com/

Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Kurashiki Bikan Chiku 倉敷美観地区, Kurashiki River Boat Ride くらしき川舟流し

Visited 17.04.2015 (Fri)

Nostalgia. Kurashiki Bikan Chiku or Historical Quarter 倉敷美観地区 is a national historical preservation district and a sense of nostalgia hits you instantaneously upon stepping foot into this well preserved town. During the Edo Period (300 years ago), this area flourished as a merchant's quarter where goods/commodities trading took place. The town is made up a narrow canal with distinct white walls warehouses and merchants' houses lined up on both sides. Though the bustling scene of river boats crowding on the canal, merchants engaging in their trade and workers transferring goods from one place to another is no longer in existence, the restored shop houses and warehouses are now occupied by ryokans, shops, cafes, restaurants, bank and tourist information center, and continue to play an essential role to showcase how life has been in the past for many future generations to come. Spent an afternoon here; strolling along the sides of the waterway, stopped by the specialty shops housed in the charming refurbished houses every now and then, and eventually joined a river boat tour to wrap up my fruitful expedition of the historical quarter.

Kurashiki River.

One distinct feature of the buildings here in Kurashiki is the white coloured walls. Bottom right: Beautiful stained glass windows of Chugoku Bank.

Top right: Ohara Museum of Art; Bottom right: The wooden, western style building was originally Kurashiki Town Hall. Now it has been converted into a tourist information center. 

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Highlights

(1) Kurashiki River Boat Tour くらしき川舟流し
Operating hrs: 0930 - 1700 hrs, one river boat setting off every 30 minutes.
Boat fee = 500 yen
Disembarkation / embarkation point: Nakabashi 中橋, near Kurashiki-kan 倉敷館
https://www.kurashiki-tabi.jp/see/3598/

One of the best way to walk down the memory lane in Kurashiki is to hop onto a leisure boat tour of Kurashiki River, which was once packed with incoming and outgoing boats ferrying goods in the olden days. The boat transverses between Takasagobashi 高砂橋 and Imabashi 今橋, and the entire tour takes approx 20 minutes. The last time when I embarked on a similar river boat ride was the river punting along the canal of Yanagawa city in Fukuoka Prefecture. Kurashiki's version is less than half of the distance covered in Yanagawa, and the boat only goes beneath one bridge (Nakabashi) during the journey. As the boat gradually moved through the calm waters, passengers can admire the white walls houses neatly lined up on the sides of the canal, imagining how lively and busy the town had been in the past.

(2) Kurashiki Ivy Square 倉敷アイビースクエア
https://www.ivysquare.co.jp/

One instagram worthy spot not to be missed is hidden within this compound. Do keep a look out for the picturesque, ivy covered red brick walls in this former cotton mill, which has been converted into a multi purpose public space comprising of hotel, restaurants and souvenir shops. During autumn, the creepers transform into various shades of red, further elevating its allure and attractiveness.



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Kurashiki Bikan Chiku / Bikan Historical Quarter 倉敷美観地区



How to get there? 

(1) By foot. It takes approx 15 minutes walk from Kurashiki JR Station.

Commemorative stamp: 

Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Kurashiki JR Station 倉敷駅

Kurashiki JR Station, on Sanyo main line served by both local and limited express trains. From Okayama, it takes about 18 mins to travel by local train to Kurashiki, which is most well known for its Bikan Historical Quarter (倉敷美観地区).

Top right: South Exit; Bottom right: North Exit.

Do take note that Shin Kurashiki and Kurashiki are two different train stations. Shin Kurashiki JR Station, which was formerly called Tamashima, is served by both Sanyo Shinkansen and Sanyo main line, and is two stops away from Kurashiki JR Station on Sanyo main line. Alight at Shin Kurashiki JR Station for places of interest in Tamashima area such as Entsuji Temple (円通寺) and Nakagai-cho (仲買町). Visitors making their way to Bikan Historical Quarter should alight at Kurashiki JR Station.

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What's nearby?

(1) Ario Shopping Mall and Mitsui Outlet Park Kurashiki, about 1 - 3 mins walk from the North Exit of train station. 

Decided to see what the West Exit has to offer after returning to the train station since it was still early. There are two shopping malls; Ario is connected to Kurashiki Station by an overhead pedestrian bridge and houses a good variety of tenants such as ABC Mart, Beams, LOFT, Tower Records, etc. 

I was once a fan of factory outlet  because of the occasional attractive bargains for off-season items. On my maiden trip to Japan in 2011, I went to both Gotemba Premium Outlets and Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari and I was extremely exhausted by my ambitious shopping itinerary (and I made a mental note not to do it again). Dropped by Mitsui Outlet Park Kurashiki since it was just in the vicinity. Similar concept like other conventional outlet parks where familiar names such as Gap, Beams, Nike, Adidas. Puma, etc are found here. However, Kurashiki's version lacks luxury brands tenants (like Coach, Agnes b, Burberry, Kate Spade, etc) which I have come across and may make here a less attractive place for shoppers to visit.
- Ario Kurashiki アリオ倉敷: http://www.ario-kurashiki.jp/web/index.html
- Mitsui Outlet Park Kurashiki 三井アウトレットパーク 倉敷: http://www.31op.com/kurashiki/english/

(2) Kurashiki Ekimae Tourist Information Office 倉敷駅前観光案内所
The tourist information office is located on the second floor of Kurashiki City Plaza West Building (倉敷市役所), which come into sight on the right upon exit from the South Exit.

(3) Sun Station Terrace Kurashiki さんすて倉敷, a small scale shopping mall housed within the train station.
http://kurashikieki-sc.jp/

Entrance to Bikan Historical Quarter.

(4) Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter 倉敷美観地区, about 10 mins walk from the South Exit of train station.

Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Day 2 Himeji 姫路, Kurashiki 倉敷

Day 2: 17.04.2015
* Day 2 of 7 Days Sanyo & San'in Area Pass 

Himeji Castle

Breakfast: Toyoko Inn Okayama Eki Nishi Guchi Hiroba 東横イン岡山駅西口広場

Okayama JR 岡山駅 (0737 hrs) > Himeji JR 姫路駅 (0758 hrs)
by Nozomi のぞみ 114.

Visited Himeji Castle 姬路城. [1,000 yen]
http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/guide/castle/

Himeji JR 姫路駅 (1155 hrs) > Okayama JR 岡山駅 (1215 hrs)
by Nozomi のぞみ 103.

Okayama JR 岡山駅 > Kurashiki JR 倉敷駅
by local train.

Lunch: Miyake Shouten 三宅商店
http://www.miyakeshouten.com/

Visited Kurashiki Bikan Chiku / Historical Quarter 倉敷美観地区:
(1) Kurashiki River Boat Ride くらしき川舟流し
(2) Momotaro no Karakuri Museum 桃太郎のからくり博物館
(3) Kurashiki Ivy Square 倉敷アイビースクエア
(4) Hayashi Genjuro 林源十郎商店
http://www.genjuro.jp/

Kurashiki JR 倉敷駅 > Okayama JR 岡山駅
by local train.

Dinner: Cafe Honmachi 喫茶ほんまち

- End of Day 2 -

Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Toyoko Inn Okayama Eki Nishi Guchi Hiroba 東横イン岡山駅西口広場

Stayed 16.04.2015 - 18.04.2015 (3 nights)

Reserved thru' Jalan.net
- Single Room = 6,264 yen/night
- Twin Room = 9,504 yen/night

Left: Look out for the tall building which is Toyoko Inn Okayama Eki Nishi Guchi Hiroba; Right: Bus terminal on west exit.

My maiden stay! I have to say that this is a very backdated entry (I have previously wrote about my Toyoko Inn experience in Morioka and Hirosaki), but Okayama was where I stayed in a Toyoko Inn for the very first time. The pleasant experience in this established budget business hotel chain in Japan greatly influenced my decision during accommodation selection for future trips. Since then, Toyoko Inn has almost become a pit stop on every holiday in Japan and will continue to be so. There are many features I like about Toyoko Inn; high level of consistency exemplified in all their hotels I have stayed so far, affordable and competitive pricing, strategic locations near essential transport infrastructure, well kept rooms equipped with basic amenities and even daily breakfast are taken care of here, making my stay in a foreign country comfortable and at ease.

Do note that there are a total of three Toyoko Inn branches all within walking distance from Okayama JR Station. Okayama Eki Nishi Guchi Migi and Okayama Eki Nishi Guchi Hiroba (which I stayed in) are both located on the west exit; while Okayama Eki Higashi Guchi is situated on the east exit. Stayed in Okayama for three consecutive days and everything was good; service, room, amenities and meal (always looking forward to see onigiri on their menu).

What's nearby?

(1) Okayama JR Station West Exit Bus Terminal 
If you are heading for Okayama Airport, board Okaden Airport Limousine Bus from Platform 21. Bus journey takes about 30 mins; fare = 760 yen
Airport Limousine Bus: http://www.okayama-kido.co.jp/bus/kuukou.html#

Okayama Airport: https://www.okayama-airport.org/en/

(2) Okayama Kotobuki Post Office 岡山寿郵便局, 1st floor of Lit City (リットシティ), a stone throw away from hotel. Had to pay this place a visit to get my favourite Posta Collect postcards exclusive to Okayama Prefecture. 

Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs on weekdays
Website: http://map.japanpost.jp/p/search/dtl/300154380000/
Okayama Prefecture's Posta Collect postcards:https://www.postacollect.com/gotochi/area34/

Momotaro, a hero from a folk tale originated from Okayama Prefecture. This is Okayama's version from the first series of Posta Collect debuted in 2009.

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Toyoko Inn Okayama Eki Nishi Guchi Hiroba 東横イン岡山駅西口広場

〒700-0024  岡山県岡山市北区駅元町22-10

2 mins walk from West Exit of Okayama JR Statiom

https://www.toyoko-inn.com/hotel/00167/index.html